FREE STATE VICTORY

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 11293, 19 August 1922, Page 5

FREE STATE VICTORY

DUNDALK RECAPTURED MAJORITY OF REBELS RETREAT TO MOUNTAINS. CHANGED FEELING IN COUNTRY. By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. (Received August 18, 5.5 p.m.) . LONDON, August 17, The Nationals have recaptured Dundalk. Evidence of the changed Irish feeling in the Irish country districts is afford ed by an incident which occurred during the irregulars’ flight from the Mallow district- Childers’s detachment wished to destroy a bridge on the road of the retreat, but the people of the district, headed by the parish priest and Protestant rector, watched day and might and prevented the injury. (Received August 18, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, August 17. Many rebels were taken prisoner in Dundalk, hut the majority retreated to the mountains, wrecking the post offices and mining the streets before leaving, The rebels also evacuated Carlingford and Greenore. DETAILB OF ATTACK TOWNSPEOPLE WELCOME VICTORS. DE VALERA A BROKEN MAN. (Received August 18, 8.45 p.m.) LONDON, August 17. The Free Staters have reoccupied the Clifden wireless station. The Nationals used aeroplanes and an armoured train in the recapture of Dundalk. Aviators circled over the town, observed the disposition of the rebels, and dropped leaflets directing the inhabitants to remain indoors. Three different farces took part in the attack. One came from Drogheda in an armoured train, and the others from Oamrickmabrosg and from Navan. They crept from cover, turned mach-ine-guns on to the rebels’ strongholds, and finally the town was taken at tho bajronet point. About three hundred prisoners were taken. The townspeople welcomed the Free Staters with the wildest enthusiasm. The rebels are retreating without offering fight on the whole southern front, falling back on hogs and hills. De Valera has fled to Kilpedder, where he is reported to be lying ill in a farmhouse, a broken man. His more moderate friends assert that he never wanted tho inregulars to fight but Rory O’Connor forced his hand. Lynch, who accompanies De Valera, is expected to make a last stand on a twentymile front .along the river Blackwater, from Mißsfreet to Mallow. The rebels’ only alternative to fight to the end is to surrender. All the roads are strongly held by Thee.Staters. Meanwhile the chief indication cf the downfall of the rebellion is the recruitment for the National army, to which thousands are flocking. Miss Mary MoSwdney is with tho rebels, who. are holding Waterfall village, in County Cork. ANOTHER STORY DE VALERA CX>MMANDERINOHTTCF. LONDON, August 17. The "Daily Mail” says Mr De Valera is now definitely appointed commander-in-chief of the rebels. Realising the impossibility of success in a pitched battle, he is heading his men for the Cork Hills, his intention being to engage in intensified guerrilla warfare on a largo scale. The rebels recently raided- stables and farms for light horses, which they are employing as cavalry. The Drogheda area has been completely cleared of rebels, and it is expected that Dundalk will he relieved in a few days. A Firee State aeroplane flew over Dundalk and scattered leaflets threatening severe penalties in the event of damage being done to public buildings.